As summer continued and the days grew hotter, the mid-year exams loomed just a few days away.
Their teacher warned that anyone failing this exam would need to take remedial classes during summer vacation.
Despite having sleepovers to study together, Mizuha, Eri, and Shimizu felt they needed more preparation. The three of them, along with Zul and Hikaru, were discussing Shimizu's suggestion to study together at her house.
"What do you think about the idea, you guys? None of you has ever visited my house before."
Mizuha leaned in. "Oh, you're right. We've never been to your house."
"But are you comfortable having us over? Since both of us are guys," Hikaru said, feeling hesitant about Shimizu’s invitation.
"Don't worry, if it's just for studying, there's no problem."
"Then, when do you want to do it, Shimizu-chan?"
"How about today after school? Just come directly from school to my house. I’ll tell my mother about it."
"That works for me. How about the rest of you?"
"We all agree."
"So, we're counting on you, Mizuha-sensei." Eri and Shimizu teased in unison.
Mizuha blushed. "Geez, you guys, please stop it. It's so embarrassing."
"By the way, Zul-sensei is coming too," Hikaru added.
"Hikaru, stop it, not you too."
That's right, Zul excels in most subjects like I do. He could help us today as well, thought Mizuha.
"So, it's decided—we'll go together to my house after school."
After school, they headed directly to Shimizu's house. Upon arrival, Shimizu unlocked the door and invited them inside.
Shimizu opened the door. "Mom, I'm home!"
"Oh, welcome home, Ayumi."
"Mom, I brought my friends over today. We're studying together for the upcoming exam."
"Really? That's nice! Let me see them."
"Here they are."
"My, who do we have here? Two lovely girls and two handsome boys."
"Sorry for disturbing," they all said in unison.
"Nice to meet you," Mizuha and Eri said.
"Nice to meet you too. So, you guys are her friends. I see.”
Her mother smirked. "Anyway, thank you for taking care of my problematic daughter. I bet she gives you nothing but trouble."
This old hag is saying too much, Shimizu thought irritably.
"Not at all! Shimizu-san always makes us happy and suggests fun activities."
Good job, Eri! Take that, you old hag!
"Really? I didn't know about that. She never says anything about school to me."
"By the way, Eri-chan, you're so cute! I can't believe my daughter has a friend this cute," her mother said as she suddenly hugged Eri.
"You too, Mizuha-chan," she said, switching to hug Mizuha next. Both Mizuha and Eri blushed after being hugged.
"Hey, what are you doing to them? Stop it."
Suddenly Hikaru smirked and said, "Good for you, Shimizu. You have a very interesting mother."
"Ah, shut up, Hikaru."
"Come on guys, we're wasting time with this middle-aged woman. Let's go to the living room."
"That's so mean, Shimizu! I'm not that old."
They settled into the spacious living room.
"Sorry, my room isn't big enough for all of us, so we'll study here."
"Sorry about my mother, both of you. She gets overexcited and has a habit of hugging cute girls."
"That really shocked me, but from what I see, she is a really kind person."
"Remember the day I acted all feminine and polite? That was her idea too."
Mizuha chuckled. "Oh, I remember that! I can't forget about it. It was so funny watching you act like that."
Hikaru laughed. "Yes, I almost fell for you that day. Hahaha."
"Ah, stop it, both of you. I'm never doing that again."
Tch, these two look like they want revenge for when I teased them, thought Shimizu, annoyed at Mizuha and Hikaru.
Soon, they began their study session in earnest. Mizuha sat between Eri and Shimizu, helping them with their weakest subjects.
"Mizuha-chan," Eri called softly, sliding her notebook across the table.
"Could you check these answers for me?"
"Oh, sure."
Mizuha studied the work carefully, her expression brightening as she saw Eri's progress. "Eri, this is amazing! You seem to have improved a lot. Keep it up."
"Thanks, Mizuha-chan."
Nearby, Shimizu smiled, inspired by her friend's progress. She showed her own math worksheet to Mizuha, revealing neat rows of solved problems.
"Here, Mizuha-sensei, please check mine too."
"Let me see. Hmm, well done, Shimizu, you've improved too. Look at how you solved this problem here," she pointed to a complex equation.
"A few weeks ago, you were struggling with the basics, but now you're handling these advanced concepts so well!"
"Haha, I know that. I can do it if I try hard," Shimizu said, proud of her improvement.
"Then, good for you, Shimizu, but don't forget it during the exam."
At the other end of the table, Hikaru looked up from his textbook. "Speaking of progress," he said, moving closer to join the conversation with Mizuha. They discussed their current subjects, sharing insights and different approaches.
"Mizuha, I don't understand this part. Can you show me how to do this?"
"Sure, let me show you the steps for that."
At the same time, Zul turned his attention to Eri. "How are your studies coming along?"
Eri's face lit up with pride. "I actually understand most of the subjects that used to give me trouble now, thanks to Mizuha-chan. It's starting to make sense, finally."
Zul's face softened with warmth. "I know you can do it. Keep it up."
His sincere words touched Eri. "Thank you, Zul," she responded softly.
"Umm, can you teach me this too? I still don't understand it."
"Got it. Let me teach you that."
As they immersed themselves in their studies, the group punctuated their hard work with laughter and jokes. Shimizu's mother kept them fueled with snacks and tea, turning the study session into a blend of productivity and joy.
A moment later, Shimizu's little brother, Shinichi, returned from playing soccer at his school. Upon entering, he noticed many pairs of shoes at the entrance.
Huh, do we have guests today? he wondered.
"I'm home," he called out, entering the living room. He was shocked to see so many people there.
"Huh, Shin-chan, you're back already," Shimizu said.
"Who are these people, Nee-chan? Friends of yours?"
"They're my friends. We're having a study group. Don't disturb us, go to your room."
Shinichi then turned to Mizuha and Eri.
Who are these two beautiful girls? he thought admiringly.
Shinichi approached the girls and introduced himself. "Nice to meet you, I'm Shimizu Shinichi, Ayumi's little brother."
Mizuha turned to him. "Nice to meet you, Shinichi."
Then Shimizu suddenly grabbed Shinichi's neck with her arm. "Hey, hey, what are you doing? Trying to flirt with my friends?"
"No, I was just introducing myself to them."
"Don't even think about it. Those handsome guys? They're their boyfriends," Shimizu said, intending to scare her little brother.
Shinichi looked at Hikaru and Zul. Both of them were just smiling at Shinichi.
Hikaru smiled at him. "You're Shimizu's little brother, nice to meet you."
To Shinichi, Hikaru and Zul seemed to be giving him scary glares, making him tremble with fear.
Shinichi stammered. "Umm, nice to meet you too."
What's with these guys? Why are they glaring at me like that? Did they get upset because I spoke to their girlfriends?
In truth, neither Hikaru nor Zul was glaring at him; it was all in his imagination.
"I'm going to my room," Shinichi said before rushing away.
"You have a nice little brother, Shimizu-chan, and he looks similar to you."
"Well, we're siblings, but don't be fooled by his innocent appearance."
Mizuha turned to Shimizu. "Huh, what do you mean?"
Shimizu laughed. "You see, he actually likes to approach girls and tries to flirt with them if he's attracted to them. I think he got that from my mother."
Her mother heard that and suddenly spoke, "What was that about me, Shimizu? We'll have a talk later," she said, giving her daughter a scary smile.
Oh no, I'm done for. I've angered the demon lord, Shimizu thought with dread.
They studied until sunset.
Mizuha leaned in. "It's getting dark, I think that's enough for today."
"Eri-chan, how's your Japanese literature coming along? Understanding it better now?"
"Yes, I understand most of it now, thanks to you, Mizuha-chan."
"And how about you, Shimizu?"
"I can solve the problems I couldn't before, but I still have more to study."
Mizuha and the others gathered their things and headed for the door when Shimizu’s mother approached them.
"Heading out already?"
"Yes, thank you for your hospitality."
"Please visit again. It was wonderful having you all here. Be safe going home."
After Mizuha and the others left, Shimizu's mother spoke.
"I'm happy for you, Ayumi."
"Huh? What do you mean, Mom?"
"You've never brought this many friends home before. They're all such nice people."
"You're right. I've never had this many friends before, but things are different now. People accept me more," Shimizu said before heading to her room.
Her mother smiled at Shimizu's words. "You've really changed, Shimizu. It's wonderful to see."
After leaving Shimizu's house, the group split up to head home. Zul walked alongside Eri, while Hikaru and Mizuha headed in the opposite direction as usual.
"Today's study group was really fun," Hikaru said as they walked down the familiar route.
He glanced at Mizuha with a smile. "You were amazing today, teaching everyone. I didn't know you could explain things so clearly."
Mizuha's cheeks warmed at the compliment. "It's nothing special. I just try to explain things the way I would want them explained to me."
They walked in silence to Mizuha's house.
"Well, this is where we split up."
Hikaru smiled. "Yeah. Thanks again for all the help today."
"Should we do another study session tomorrow at the library?"
"Good idea. I'll message everyone tomorrow. They'll appreciate it."
"I'll head home now. See you."
"Take care."
"You too, Mizuha. See you tomorrow!"
The group continued their study sessions for several more days. Then, the long-awaited examination day arrived, filling Mizuha and her friends with mixed feelings of anticipation and nervousness.
"Let's do our best, Eri. I know you can do it too."
"Yes, you too, Zul. Good luck."
Both Shimizu and Eri now had determination and confidence and no longer worried about their weakest subjects.
I won't disappoint Mizuha-chan after all her teaching. I'll do my best, thought Eri.
Time to show what I learned from Mizuha-sensei, thought Shimizu.
Good luck, both of you. Let's all do our best, thought Mizuha.
"The exam has begun," said the teacher as the clock struck 8 A.M.
As the exam began, the atmosphere buzzed with a sense of intensity and determination. Each student took their designated seats, amid hushed whispers and rustling papers.
They took deep breaths, picked up their pencils, and turned over their test papers. With determination in their eyes, they began writing, ready to face the challenges that lay before them.
ns216.73.216.13da2
and then Add to home screen.